A review by serendipitysbooks
A Ghost In The Throat by Doireann Ní Ghríofa

emotional reflective medium-paced

5.0

 A Ghost in the Throat is an utterly gorgeous book that spoke to me on so many levels. It’s a memoir about the author’s fascination with the poem “ Caoineadh Áirt Úi Laoghaire”, her determination to translate it to English and to find out more about the life of the poet eighteenth century noblewoman Eibhlín Dubh Ní Chonaill. This is set against the broader background of the author’s own life, especially the all-encompassing years of parenting young children. It’s been nearly two decades since I was the mother of a baby or small child yet this book instantly transported me back there - the delightful (for me - I know I’m fortunate in my experience) rhythm of breastfeeding, the drudgery and repetitiveness of many days balanced against the overwhelming love for the small people in your care. As a historian (again in a former life - this one closer to thirty years ago) I could sympathise with her frustrations regarding the limitations of traditional sources when it comes to learning about the lives of women. I loved the ways she attempted to fill in the gaps, using her knowledge and experiences as the basis for informed imaginations. As a feminist I loved the constant refrain “this is a female text” and the widening conceptions of what a text is and what stories deserve to be told.

If you don’t speak Irish do yourself a favour a listen to the audiobook to hear the poem read aloud in its original language. It’s lushly beautiful. Then listen to the author’s translation. It’s so powerful - the love, passion, grief and desire for revenge are so raw and palpable. Life has not yet delivered me that sort of grief and yet I felt it in my bones.

I just adored this book. It cleverly took several disparate strands, and wove them into a gorgeous tapestry using the most exquisite prose - the author is also a poet and it shows in the best way. This book is stunning, unique and all sorts of other gushy wonderful adjectives. Many thanks to @cheriebooksreadthisyear whose review put this one on my radar. I’m so glad I finally read it.
 
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